New day, new skills!

No fancy toys for Paige, no, no. Paige is a perfect example of our new make-do economy, using ordinary household objects in place of those new-fangled pricy store-bought items. Yessir... rattles & drums? Nah, empty water bottles and tissue boxes. Shiny new walker? No way mom, the laundry basket will do nicely!

Better late than never

Finally -- I've got proof that Paige did indeed take swimming lessons! Hmm... Paige did not exactly take to the water like the proverbial duck, or even her not-so-proverbial Poppy. But give her time -- we could still have a Michaela Phelpette on our hands (less the illegal substance smoking of course). Of course, we're rooting for international tennis prodigy / supermodel (more bucks to support her needy parents), but hey, it'll be her choice. (as long as she chooses the right thing, mind you...).

Eight weeks and counting

Gotta say I'm impressed with 1st Class Celebrations' mailing list planning... never heard of the company before, and what lands on my doorstep only 8 weeks before Paige's birthday? (her first, for those of you who haven't been keeping track)

None other than the company's '1st Birthday Book: filled with everything to make your baby's 1st birthday extra special.' I never knew you could buy so much STUFF for a baby who has absolutely no idea how this day is different from any other. Unfortunately as my child isn't named Alisha, Amelia, or Melika, it doesn't look like any of the personalised things are for us. They do show a t-shirt saying 'I'm Princess Lucy and I am 1' -- so hey, someone in our family can benefit.

Seriously, though -- who is a 1st birthday really for? Certainly not the baby. If we just acknowledge it's for the parents from the outset, then can we do away with pink princess balloons and juice and go for a tasteful flower arrangement and full-bodied shiraz?